Backstage Pass: Ep. 34 - The Secret to Influence from a Las Vegas Headliner with Jeff Civillico
jeff civillico bio
From a 10-year-old kid doing shows in the kitchen for his “Gram” to becoming a 3-time “Best of Las Vegas” winner, Jeff Civillico has always had a heart to connect with people. He wants to make you laugh, to make you smile, to make you cheer! Jeff wants you to leave lighter and brighter, taking a ripple of happiness with you. Jeff’s genuine love for performing, his business savvy and his signature grit proved to be a winning combination— heralded as the youngest Producer/Headliner in Las Vegas, named “Entertainer of the Year” and voted “Best of Las Vegas” 3 years in a row.
After a decade’s success with his Vegas residency, Jeff knew it was time to expand his platform, reach, and impact. He felt the need to move beyond performing 6 nights a week (for 10 years!) to focus more on developing his connection and communication skills as a host personality, facilitator, and keynote speaker.
And as one of the busiest speakers on the circuit today, his message and approach are clearly resonating! Jeff was recently conferred by the National Speakers Association with the “Certified Speaking Professional” (CSP) credential, a designation held by only 1.5% of speakers worldwide. And he is one of the youngest ever inductees into the National Speakers Association’s "Speaker Hall of Fame." The Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) is a lifetime award for speaking excellence and professionalism.
Jeff believes in maximizing one’s utility through action, and he lives by example. He consistently creates and develops projects to help others, which as a byproduct gives his life deeper purpose and meaning. His nonprofit Win Win Charity, his Cisko Sound scholarships, and his most recent venture "Laughter without Borders,” a philanthropic travel show, are all shining examples of his impact in action.
Jeff believes that we all put positive ripples out into the world that expand well beyond our knowledge and awareness…and he’s on a mission to help you see that too!
show notes
On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jeff Civillico — Las Vegas headliner, Hall of Fame speaker, and one of GDA’s most rebooked talents — to explore what makes audiences connect, laugh, and come back for more.
Key topics in this episode include:
Jeff’s journey from juggling in his grandmother’s kitchen to producing his own Las Vegas residency
The behind-the-scenes business mindset that helped him thrive as an entrepreneur in Vegas
Why authenticity is what audiences crave most — no matter the room size
The release of his new comedy special, Comedy in Action, now streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and more
How his TEDx talk sparked a research study on “everyday influence” — and the three factors that truly drive it: consistency, proximity, and presence
The mission behind Win Win Charity and how it brings smiles to children in hospitals nationwide
How Care Kits for Kids transforms corporate CSR into a high-impact, meaningful team experience
Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Jeff Civillico to your next event!